Support for bathing and dressing infants



y 16, 1963 R. L. STIPHANY 3,

SUPPORT FOR BATHING AND DRESSING INFANTS Filed Oct. 20, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet i f QT! Y 7. 7 lNVE/VTOR. I A RUDOLPH L. ST/PHA/VY 27 y B 2 v i? H July 16, 1968 R. L. STIPHANY 3,392,408

SUPPORT FOR BATHING AND DRESSING INFANTS Filed Oct. 20, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOH RUDOLPH L. S 7'/PHA/VY B E A am United States Patent 3,392,408 SUPPORT FOR BATHING AND DRESSING INFANTS Rudolph L. Stiphany, 1002 E. Colby St.,

Whitehall, Mich. 49461 Filed Oct. 20, 1965, Ser. No. 498,440 2 Claims. (Cl. 4-135 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A retractable bathing tray for infants, with a pivotal support resting on suction cups normally engaging the sides of a bathtub, and with provision for support forces to be transferred without involving the pivot in the utility position of the tray.

This invention provides a device than combines the functions of a bathinette and a dressing table for supporting infants as they are bathed and dressed. The device is intended for use in conjunction with a, bathtub, particularly an elevated tub of the type shown in my application for design patent Ser. No. 84,867, filed on Apr. 19, 1965. When used in conjunction with an elevated tub of this type, the resulting support height becomes ideal for the mother to care for the infant from the standing position. The preferred form of the invention is in the general shape of a tray having a central waterretention area with an outlet disposed to drain into the tub, with the tray being supported on the opposite rim portions of the tub. The support at one side is provided by suction cups hinged to the tray so that the tray can be swung upward against the wall adjacent to the tub when not in use, thus avoiding interference with the tub, and yet retaining the general position of the tray for ready accessibility.

The several features of the invention will be analyzed in detail through discussion of the particular embodiment illustrated on the drawings. In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a tray embodying the preferred form of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a front elevation of the tray shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a left end elevation of the tray shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a right end elevation of the tray shown in FIGURE 1.

'FIGURE 5 is a bottom view of the tray shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the plane 6-6 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is a sectional elevation showing the installation of the tray illustrated in FIGURE 1 on the opposite rim portions of a bathtub.

FIGURE 8 is a view similar to FIGURE 7, but showing the tray swung up into the storage position.

Referring to the drawings, the tray assembly includes a panel 10 which is preferably formed of a strong moldable plastic material, and reinforced to prevent cracking and breakage. Reinforcement of plastic material by glass fibers to provide these characteristics is quite common. The tray has a central recessed portion indicated at 11 both for retaining water to control and localize the drainage, and also prevent the infant from accidentally slipping off from the tray. If desired, the central recessed area 11 can be equipped with a foam-rubber pad. If this is done, it is preferable that the pad be of the so-called closed cell" foam material, which prevents the material from functioning as a sponge. In this manner, the resilience of the foam rubber is obtained, while eliminating the problem of maintaining cleanliness which might result if the bath water were to be retained. The squared configuration at the botttom of the central area 11 in FIGURE 1 is for appearances only, and may be incorporated either in the pad or in the molded material of the panel 10. A drain hole is incorporated as shown at 12, with this hole being disposed to discharge into a tub on which the device is mounted in the manner shown in FIGURES 7 and 8. Receses as shown at 13, 14 and 15 are preferably incorporated to retain soap, washcloths, or other equipment used in caring for the infant.

The pivotal support of the tray is shown best in FIG- URE 6. The leaf 16 of the hinge 17 is secured to the rim 18 0f the panel 10 in any convenient manner such as by adhesive, rivets, or other standard fastenings. The opposite leaf 19 is secured to the rubber suction cup 20, also by adhesive or by any other convenient arrangement. An abutment 28 is preferably formed on the tray 10 to back .up the hinge leaf 19 in the down position of the tray shown in FIGURE 7 so that the weight can be transferred directly from the suction cup 20 to the tray without the necessity of going through the pivot of the hinge, or the connection of the leaf 16 to the rim 18. The use of the suction cup 20 permits the tray to be attached directly to the rim portion 21 of the tub 22, with the tray unit spanning across the tub to the opposite rim portion -23. The complete tray unit 24 therefore bridges across the tub, preferably with the central recess 11 extending down into the cavity defined by the tub 22, as best shown in FIGURE 7. The auxiliary leg 25 engages the rim portion 23, and the lower portion of the leg 25 should be of some resilient material. When the suction cups 20 have been firmly engaged, the device may be considered as semi-permanently attached to the tub. When not in use, the tray 24 can be swung upwardly to the position shown in FIGURE 8 so that the use of the tub is not obstructed. Normally, a wall structure adjacent the tub will limit the withdrawn position of the tray; and if no wall structure is present, some auxiliary stop should be provided in any convenient manner. The hinged supports should be provided on at least two points, preferably at the opposite extremes of an end or side of the tray unit. The support structure as shown in FIGURE 6 is incorporated as shown at 26 and 27. Similarly, it is preferable to include the auxiliary support legs 25 in two positions, as shown in FIGURES 4 and 5.

The particular embodiments of the present invention which have been illustrated and discussed herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be considered as a limitation upon the scope of the appended claims. In these claims, it is my intent to claim the entire invention disclosed herein, except as I am limited by the prior art.

I claim:

1. In combination with a tub having opposite rim portions providing platform surfaces, a tray for use in bathing infants, said tray comprising:

a panel adapted to span across said tub and extend between said opposite rim portions, said panel having a water-retaining recess provided with an outlet disposed to drain into said tub; and

support means including at least one suction cup con- 3 4 nected to one leaf of a hinge having a pivot pin, the panel has a marginal flange, and said other hinge leaf is other leaf of said hinge being secured to one side of secured thereto. said panel, said suction cup normally engaging one References Cited of said rim portions, said panel having a dependent UNITED STATES PATENTS abutment disposed in vertical alignment with the suc- 5 tion cup in the lowered position of said pan l to {323%, 3 3$? transfer support forces to said suction cup so that 1483'640 2/1924 Manning said pin is substantially free of such forces when said 2:813:276 11/.1957 Lama 4 5 panel is in said position. 2. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said 10 HAROLD J, GROSS, Primary Examiner. 

